POLB80 Chapter 6.docx

CHAPTER 6: LIBERALISM
th
By Baylis 5 edition
INTRODUCTION
Pg. 102 – realism regarded as the dominant theory of international relations
- Liberalism has a strong claim to being the historic alternative
- In 1990s, liberalism appeared in Western state leaders proclaiming a new world order
- Stanley Hoffmann’s ‘international affairs have been the nemesis of liberalism... the essence of
liberalism is self-restraint, moderation, compromise and peace whereas the essence of
international politics is exactly the opposite; trouble peace, at best, or the state of war’
- Power politics is the product of ideas and ideas can change
- All citizens are equal, possess certain basic rights to education, access to free press, religious
toleration
- The right to own property
- Most effective system of economic exchange is market driven
- Sacrifice liberty of individual for the stability of the community
- The identity of the state determines its outward orientation
- All states are accorded to natural rights ‘right to non-intervention in domestic affairs’
- Both realist and liberals – war is a recurring feature of the anarchic system
- Don’t define anarchy as cause of war
- Cause of war in imperialism, failure of balance of power, undemocratic regimes
Pg. 103 – 2 liberal direction: commitment to freedom in economic and social sphere  minimalist role
for governing institutions, democratic political culture for basic freedom requires interventionist
institutions
- The intensification of global flows in trade, resources, people has weakened state’s capacity to
govern
CORE IDEAS IN LIBERAL THINKING ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Pg. 104 – Kant, to achieve perpetual peace required transformation of consciousness, republican
constitutionalism, federal contract between states
 If decisions to use force taken by people, conflict will be reduced “democratic peace
treaty’
- Liberal states tend to be wealthy, less to gain by engaging in conflicts
- 1989 Fukuyama’s ‘The End of History’ – triumph of liberalism over all other ideologies Pg. 105 – many US presidents say liberal tradition believes a legal and institutional framework must be
established that includes states with different cultures and traditions
- Cobden’s belief that free trade would create more peaceful world order
- Peace not a natural condition but can be constructed
- Wilson – peace could be secured by international organizations
- Collective security – an arrangement where ‘each state in the system accepts that the security
of one is the concern of all, agrees to join in a collective response to aggression
P. 106- self-determination – characteristic of liberal idealist thinking of IR
- 1936 Hitler’s decision to reoccupy Rhineland which is demilitarized by Treaty of Versailles
- Need of new international institution with international peace and security
- Veto system allowed any 5 permanent member of Security Council the power of veto
- Military – transnational cooperation required in order to